Thomas Edison was a workaholic who regarded formal dinners as a waste of time. At one such meal -- finding the company rather dull -- he resolved to escape to his lab at the earliest opportunity.

Having made his way to door, however, he was dismayed by the approach of his oblivious host. "It certainly is a delight to see you, Mr. Edison," he declared. "What are you working on now?" Edison's reply? "My exit."

[Edison once placed a sign outside the door to his room which read: "I will not talk radio to any one."]